International Ms. Leather

International Ms. Leather (IMsL) is an annual leather subculture fetish convention and competition, originally focused on women but now inclusive of all genders. Since 1999,^[1] the convention has also included a Ms. Bootblack (IMsBB) contest.^[2][3]

After Ms. Leather events had been held in San Francisco since 1981, the first formal International Ms. Leather convention took place in 1987.^[4][5] The first International Ms. Leather was Judy Tallwing McCarthey.^[6][7]

In 1988, International Ms. Leather received the Large Club of the Year award as part of the Pantheon of Leather Awards.^[8] In 2009, International Ms. Leather received the Chuck Renslow President's Award from the Leather Archives & Museum.^[9] In 2009, 2013, and 2017, International Ms. Leather received the Large Event of the Year award as part of the Pantheon of Leather Awards, and in 2018 International Ms Leather Bootblack received that award.^[8]

International Ms. Leather moved in 2014 from the SOMA neighborhood of San Francisco to San Jose.^[2]

The Leather Archives & Museum’s photos, videos, and oral histories chronicling International Ms. Leather (and International Mr. Leather) were featured in a 2015 documentary by Christina Court, titled High Shine: 15 Years of International Ms Bootblack.^[10]

The International Ms Leather (IMsL) Foundation began its work in 2015.^[11] The foundation’s website states, “We are committed to fostering healthy environments for Women to succeed in Leather and Kink spaces by providing education, programming, and financial support.”^[12] In 2016 that foundation received the Nonprofit Organization of the Year award as part of the Pantheon of Leather Awards.^[8]

International Ms. Leather has had a focus on community leadership from the start.^[4] The contestants must meet objectives and deadlines set before the convention, and at the event are judged on costuming, speech, a fantasy performance, knowledge of the leather scene as demonstrated in a quiz and an interview, and also organizing skills as demonstrated in having two others set up an auction table for them at the convention.^[13]

Producers of the event have included Audrey Joseph^[14] and 1993's International Ms. Leather winner Amy Marie Meek (later Amy Meek-DeJarlais).^[1][15] "Amy Marie Meek – International Ms. Leather" received the International Deaf Leather Recognition Award in 2001.^[16]

Judges have included Kitty Tsui.^[17]

International Ms. Leather Winners

As of 2026, 38 contestants representing three countries have won IMsL: the United States (35), Canada (2), and Australia (1).

1. ^ Bergstedt stepped down as IMsL on September 13, 1994, giving the title to the year's runner-up.^[7]
2. ^ Moore's brother Ron won International Mr. Leather in 1984, making them the first opposite-gender sibling pair to both win leather titles.^[20][21]
3. ^ In the event of a contest only having one contestant who does not earn the minimum number of points required to qualify for the title, no winner is announced for that year.

International Ms. Bootblack Winners

As of 2026, 23 contestants representing the United States (21), Canada (1), and the United Kingdom (1) have won IMsBB.

See also

• Leather competitions
• International Mr. Leather

References

1. ^ Baume, Matt (August 18, 2017). "Inside the Changing Leather Scene". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2019-05-14.
2. ^ Horn, Tina (June 21, 2014). "Black Boots and Big Booties at the International Ms. Leather and International Ms. Bootblack Contest". VICE. Retrieved 2016-04-18.
3. ^ Bannon, Race (April 24, 2019). "BARtab: Celebrating women - International Ms. Leather and Bootblack in San Jose". Bay Area Reporter
4. ^ Rubin, Gayle S. (1997). "Elegy for the Valley of Kings: AIDS and the Leather Community in San Francisco, 1981–1996". In Changing Times: Gay Men and Lesbians Encounter HIV/AIDS. Chicago: University of Chicago. p. 126. ISBN 9780226278568.
5. ^ Rubin, Gayle S. (1994). The Valley of the Kings: Leathermen in San Francisco, 1960–1990 (PhD dissertation). Vol. 2. University of Michigan. p. 419. OCLC 68797881
6. ^ "Roll out the RED CARPET. Introducing Judy Tallwing McCarthey.". August 15, 2020. Archived from the original on October 11, 2020. Retrieved October 6, 2020.
7. ^ Lenius, Steve (August 10, 2001). "Leather Life: 15 Years of International Ms Leather"
8. ^ 🖉"Pantheon of Leather Awards All Time Recipients - The Leather Journal". www.theleatherjournal.com. Archived from the original on 2015-03-25. Retrieved 2020-12-26.
9. ^ "President’s Award – Leather Archives & Museum"
10. ^ Creane, C. "The making of the Documentary, "High Shine: 15 Years of International Ms Bootblack" - The Leather Journal". www.theleatherjournal.com. Retrieved 2024-07-05.
11. ^ "About". Mysite. Archived from the original on 2020-11-24. Retrieved 2020-12-27.
12. ^ "Home". Mysite. Archived from the original on 2020-11-30. Retrieved 2020-12-27.
13. ^ Bannon, Race (April 27, 2017). "Celebrating Leather Women". Bay Area Reporter. – via Issuu.
14. ^ Lord Martine (November 30, 2001). "Ace of clubs puts her cards on the table". San Francisco Chronicle
15. ^ Lenius, Steve (August 4, 2006). "Leather Life: International Ms Leather Celebrates 20 Years"
16. ^ "International Deaf Leather | AWARDS". July 4, 2021.
17. ^ "Kitty Tsui | Asian Pacific Islander Queer Women & Transgender Community". apiqwtc.org. 27 March 2017. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
18. ^ "> Selection Committee - Leather Hall of Fame". www.leatherhalloffame.com
19. ^ "HOME | IMsLBB". September 18, 2024. Archived 2024-09-18 at the Wayback Machine.
20. ^ "Cuir Underground". www.black-rose.com
21. ^ "The winner of International Mr. Leather 1984, Ron Moore, is announced by Colt Thomas. Ron Moore was the first black…". No. 1264281235863539717. 23 May 2020.

External links

• Official website
• Documentary "High Shine: 15 Years of International Ms Bootblack" (2015) by Christina K. Court